The Scarlet Letter: A Romance Novel

Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter tells the story of the love between Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale, as well as the consequences that result from it. Although, Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter can be classified as a tragic novel, it should truly be regarded as a romance novel because of the several consequences that arise, not as a result of sin and tragedy, but as a result of Hester and Dimmesdale's undying love throughout the book.

Perhaps, the most obvious result of Hester and Dimmesdale's love was Pearl, herself. Her unorthodox, stubborn, and sometimes uncontrollable behavior represents not sin, but the stubbornness of Hester and Dimmesdale's love and some of the unusual times and consequences it survived through. Pearl's naïve innocence, such as the belief that her mother had plucked her from a bush, is symbolic of the innocence (not sin) that lied within the love of Hester and Dimmesdale. Pearl, often brightly clothed as Hester had dressed her, often stood out as bright as the scarlet letter on her mother's chest; as the two of them symbolized as one, the relationship between Hester and Dimmesdale. It was with this picture in mind that Hawthorne proclaims, "Pearl is indeed the scarlet letter endowed with life."

Another consequence of this persisting love was Hester's penance of having to don the scarlet letter, itself. However, disregarding it as a punishment, she later became as proud of the letter as she was of Pearl, as they both were symbols of her love. Because she does not regard her relationship as sinful, she displays no regret. She feels that "true passion, even if adulterous, may not be a sin to be repented of, but a loveless marriage is." Hester feels no shame either, because the price she is paying is not, in her eyes, for a sin. Instead, she feels she should rejoice for her love. While Dimmesdale feels guilt, it is not for his passion towards Hester, but for his hypocrisy to the community.

Nevertheless, there comes a time when even the community, itself, becomes proud of Hester and regards the letter as standing for Able, Admirable, or to the reader it may even stand for Amour-the French word for love. The irony to the story is that Hester regains the respect of society by the warmth, love, and care she gives to fellow people as she aids them through sickness. Ironically, it was this same warmth and caring toward another human being that caused her to lose that respect in the first place. It also becomes clearer to see, as the novel continues, that it is neither Hester nor Dimmesdale who have committed a sin, as much as it is Chillingsworth who is the true sinner. He has committed a sin much greater than any that either Hester or Dimmesdale may be guilty of: He committed the sin of "violating the sanctity of a human heart."

Another factor contributing to the consideration of The Scarlet Letter as a romance novel is the fact that the passion between Hester and Dimmesdale intensifies as the novel progresses rather than having ended before the novel begins, leaving only the consequences to speak of. This, although obvious, is proven many times throughoutt the book. One example occurs when Hester tells Dimmesdale that Chilingsworth is her husband. As quickly as she tells him, she begs for his forgiveness and cannot live without it. Despite that "all the world had frowned upon her...and, yet, she still bore it all...the frown of this pale, weak, sinful and sorrow-stricken man was what she could not bear and live."

Hester's love is further displayed when Dimmesdale has become very frail and worn. She thinks that, as if married, their love has lasted until death would soon do them part. However, it is love this strong that it can be said "...has earned its way even in the life beyond the grave." Dimmesdale illustrates his love when he feels it can be hidden no longer and reveals to everyone the scarlet letter upon his own chest. It is then that he is described in the following way: "...with a flush of triumph in his face...as one who has won a victory."

Looked at optimistically, The Scarlet Letter is not a novel of tragedy, but a novel of romance-the romance that lies between Hester and Dimmesdale. Furthermore, it was not Hester and Dimmesdale who were the true sinners, but the society that they lived in for not accepting the rare feelings that existed between them. Hawthorne said it best, proclaiming that "Puritan society was an evil one. (It was ) a society which collectively committed the sins of both Ego and Pride. However, it was a society which Chillingsworth was only one part of.